Losing my friends.

I post a lot of things about being atheist on Facebook; I realize this. I live in the South immersing me right in the center of all religious perversions. I have people delete me almost daily because of the things I post. None of this ever really bothered me because I live a moral, ethical life and if someone didn't want to be digital friends with me because of my beliefs; so be it.

It was different this time because it was one of my real life friends. Someone that knows me, and knows how good of a person I try to be. Cannot be friends with me because of my beliefs. I'm generally a very insensitive person most of the time, but this hurt my heart.

I'm becoming more and more of a militant atheist, and it's hard for me to even hear things about Christianity without getting heated in my head. I need to move.

Those who choose to deny your friendship over something such as your atheism are really not friends to you at all. If they are Christian, and presumably so since you are in the "Bible Belt," they should try a little bit of that "judge not lest you be judged" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" that Jesus proclaims his followers to abide lest they be hypocrites.

Because we're human. Wearing the label "Christian" doesn't make us any better than anyone else, particularly when it's a prevailing norm so there is no cost (or there's even social benefit) to professing Christianity. We get a lot of pretenders.

Here in Australia, we are having a trial, where 4 brothers from the one catholic school have been jailed for pedophilia, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. This one school spent one million dollars on the headmaster keeping him out of jail for pedophilia, Do you think these people really believe in Jesus and God? The school chaplain had 67 complaints against him. And this absolutely baffles me, that it can go on for so long, and they still profess to believe in Jesus, and pray to god, and giving mass and communion, whilst abusing and raping boys. How can this be, in your opinion.

Here in the U.S., I remember reading that the average number of kids molested by a single pedophile before they are stopped by a major felony conviction is well over 100. That's not just true of religious perpetrators, it's true of coaches, teachers, camp staff, etc. Such people seek positions of trust, and seek lonely, vulnerable kids who are unlikely to report, and even when there is a report it becomes a case of little proof vs. a known pillar of the community.

As a Catholic, though, it is especially infuriating for me when it is a religious. As a professor, it's also doubly maddening when it's a teacher. Jesus said "better a millstone should be tied around their necks and cast into the sea"; one of the few condemnations he made aside from condemning hypocritical priests.

No, these people aren't licitly presiding at mass! No, these people aren't licitly receiving communion! Presiding at mass or receiving communion in that state of sin is contrary to Canon Law! Of course, buggering children is contrary to Divine Law, and that didn't stop them either.

No, their profession of belief and pretended prayers aren't real! They are liars and scum who are using the trappings of religion to get to kids! Yes, their sin is mortal! Yes, absolutely, every good person, religious or not should heap anathemas on their heads, and I'd be dishonest if I didn't say that there's a big part of me that would condone burning at the stake for just such offenses! It is right and proper to be furious with them, and with any who abetted them.

Just don't lump all the rest of us teachers in with that lot, or all the rest of us religious folks.

I'd just say that while I responded above to a question directed to me, the comments here are probably more wisely spent in support of @Elizabeth, rather than commenting on pedophiles. I'd chop that last reply down if I could.

So ignore all that @Elizabeth! Just put me down as a Catholic Christian who thinks your so-called "friend" was just a jerk, and not much of a Christian. Be yourself. Speak your mind, look for better friends (and better Christians). And try to avoid the temptation to be militant. Humor is better. ;)

I have been planning on moving out of Texas for a few years now. One of the main reasons is because how pervasive religion is in the state. I work at a University and it is everywhere, out loud and in the open. It is scary to see educators reading books disparaging evolution and how "Climatism" is the new mania.

But I dont get angry or upset about it, it just makes me feel sad, isolated and hyper aware of how much time I dont have to move somewhere else and try to enjoy what time I have left.

I'm going to try to make my move in about 8 to 10 months. But it is not easy when you have very limited resources and are completely on your own. But I am determined.

If you decide to move best of luck to you. I hope you find a more positive environment.

I feel for all you folk living in America. It seems to be atheist there is viewed as something akin to having leprosy. It's not like that at all in Europe, or even where I live, South Africa, the fourth most religious nation on earth. Most black folk here attend church weekly, but when they find out I dont believe in god they just shake their heads and say "Crazy Mlungu." (white man) I don't get any bad vibes from them for it. They seem quite accepting. Dunno what the response would be if I was black. Any thoughts, Bongani?

I work at a University and it is everywhere, out loud and in the open. It is scary to see educators reading books disparaging evolution and how "Climatism" is the new mania.

Oh for crying out loud! Let me just say it makes me mad, but then I have a personal investment in the integrity of university education. I think most of us old, traditional theists are perfectly happy standing with the atheists on this matter. So don't feel too isolated. They are definitely in the minority.